I almost feel like this would have worked as a series in the 80's. Certainly would have been much better than the Christmas Special:
IMAX. 3-D. Furniture store...what?
They have been flying under the radar this year, but following tough play against UConn and a second straight upset of BC, the Crimson are on the march. Stud senior Jeremy Lin is even getting props from ESPN. Big game against Georgetown on December 23rd. I think if they play it close (or maybe even squeak out another upset), they are going to have to get some national attention. They are young too! Cornell also looks like they are for real this season, so winning the Ivy isn't a walk away. Sure would be nice to see them in the tourney.
It's true. Civic engagement in this country is in the crapper and has been for a while. Everyone was really excited about the turnout in 2008, but the final number was 57%...57%! I shouldn't be surprised that people are uninformed about issues that truly are important to them: they either don't have time to learn or don't care enough to. Those who are engaged seem to be protesting things that don't actually exist. Though we may all care about about issues that are important to us (or more directly impact people's lives), it's really ourselves we care about the most:
I think this (unfortunately) extends to the President as well. This is just about the worst idea I've ever heard. I'm not sure it's good politics either (even if the Dems are going to dump Lieberman after HCR passes (which they probably don't have the balls to do (and which Obama will likely discourage (again!)))). Lieberman does not "want" anything, except to feel important and be a douche. He is really good at the latter.
Please, President Obama, do the following:
1) Call up Paul Volcker
2) Apologize for appointing him to the NEC and promptly burying him
3) Ask him politely to breath some fire, publicly, on your behalf
4) Use the threat of him at Treasury as a bargaining chip in financial reform
5) Call up Paul Volcker
6) Thank Paul Volcker
This is absurd. The entire financial services industry (in this I include banks, broker/dealers and insurance companies) are absurd. Financial innovation is absurd. Leave the risk taking to the appropriate risk takers (PE, VC and HFs) and make the banks into utilities. Investment banks should be kept out of the retail banking business and have no access to federal subsidies (Discount Window, TALF or any other alphabet soup).
Let Volcker loose.
To paraphrase Atrios, "We are all war bonds now." These people are such idiots. We finance everything through bonds. If you want to finance the war through a separate mechanism that won't expand the debt, you have to introduce something like David Obey's "War Tax."
After watching that heartbreaking loss for Nebraska, I can't believe no one mentioned the out of bounds kick-off. TX gained a total of 30 yards after the kick-off and nearly ran out the clock without even attempting a fieldgoal. And yet, not a single mention from the Musberger. Low quality.
-- Posted from my iPodPhone
I've seen some buzz about how Dana Perino said on Sean Hannity's show that "[the US] did not have a terrorist attack on our country during President Bush's term." The next day, she posted on twitter that she meant post 9/11. Fair enough, except for the following:
Anthrax
DC Sniper
Ohio Sniper
Virginia Tech
Any others I'm forgetting?
So she's right, if you are willing to exclude those four (and of course the 9/11 attacks themselves).
Sorry, 5≠0.
I had tickets to see The Swell Season when they were in Boston earlier this year, but ended up traveling for work and missed the show. I'm glad to see that they are still touring. Apparently, at a recent LA show, Jason Segel came up on stage and performed. Pretty good stuff:
How's that for a totally generic/incomprehensible post title? A little self-loathing for your troubles...
Eels - Little Bird
This was released today, the first single from the forthcoming Eels album, "End Times," due early 2010. It is, in a word, uplifting. Much like most of Eels stuff.
The Band - It Makes No Difference
I've posted a My Morning Jacket version of this song previously. It's just so good, I thought I'd give you a live version, sung by the band that wrote it. Rick Danko's voice is pretty much the greatest thing ever.
I pretty much have no idea which one I'm in.
INT. REVERE INDOOR SPORTS ARENA - NIGHT
A friendly, co-ed recreational league soccer game is being played. It's warm outside, but stifling in the arena. BRIAN, early 30's, tracks a ball to the back corner of the arena. Looking up, he clears the ball upfield.
Suddenly, BOOM, Brian is checked into the boards. FAT GUY, fat 30's and goateed, has lifted has hands to his chest and shoved Brian with the full weight of his...weight. It's clearly a dirty play. Brian shoves Fat Guy.
Brian walks back to his bench as Fat Guy is red-carded and forced to exit the arena.Brian What the fuck, dude?Fat Guy You tore my ligament last time!Brian Huh?
Maybe I should be wary? This is absolutely fucking absurd. I know most people in the media brush off the crazy nativism that now permeates the right-wing news media, but this is why it is dangerous to ignore.
This is what police say happened at 6:35 p.m. Monday:I'd be willing to be money, there will be next to no penalty for this guy. Hey steroid/HGH taking, thoughtless and dangerous meathead from FL, GFY.
The priest's GPS gave him the wrong directions, leading him off Interstate 275 and into downtown Tampa. He followed a line of cars into a garage at the Seaport Channelside condominium to ask for help.
He found Bruce, whose back was turned, bending over the trunk of his car, and he tapped his shoulder before saying, in broken English, "please" and "help."
That's when Bruce reached for the tire iron. Police say that by the end of the chase, he had hit the priest four times.
This just arrived in my email inbox:
To be honest, where has this guy been the last two years since he was 100% correct and Joe Lieberman was 150% a d-bag. He got the ball rolling, lost and then has done nothing to try to hold Lieberman to account (or at least keep a public profile). Just can't get excited about it (and I volunteered for him on Election Day '06)
Quite comfortable and fashionable. Every research analyst should have a pair:
Obviously, the Media is the Media and will brainlessly regurgitate what news will be good for Republicans (Zombie Lies in honor of Atrios), but if they want the NJ and VA losses to be a referendum on Obama, shouldn't this chart be the biggest indicator that Obama remains exceptionally popular:
Please, someone get Joe Lieberman his binky and some regular coverage on Access Hollywood so he will shut his mouth already. He has now come out saying he will "use his power a single Senator" to stop healthcare reform if it includes a public option. Let's side aside the fact that he's blatantly stating falsehoods about what a public option is (stating it's a new government entitlement, which it's not (it's financed by premiums)) and how much it will cost (he's saying it will break the budget, which it won't); how does this guy still have any seniority in the Democratic caucus? I've been following most of the Lieberbarf coverage at My Left Nutmeg, which does a lot of great coverage of CT Politics.
Josh Marshall recently commented that he wished there was some sort of anti-Lieberman placeholder in CT, but I think he misses an obvious opportunity: Chris Dodd. Dodd is going to be locked in a very difficult re-election campaign next year, both within the party and statewide. For some bizarre reason, he continues to stand behind his "friend" Lieberman. You can see an example of this type of behavior here. I get that these guys have known each other a long time and are potentially friends inside and outside the Senate. But let's be frank, there are very important, fundamental Democratic reforms on the table here (HCR, Cap & Trade, Banking Reform, etc.) that Lieberman stands in the way of, for seemingly no legitimate reason other than his own sense of self-importance. Dodd claims to be a champion of these reforms (hell, he'll potentially be authoring the banking reform).
If Dodd wants the vigorous support of Democratic partisans/activists, shouldn't he have to show that he will "fight" to get these reforms made into law? Friendships are important in life, but you don't get to be a US Senator to make and keep friends. You get elected to represent the interests of your constituents (who, in CT by the way, support a public option 64% to 31%).
Is that an Onion headline? I love that McCarver tells everyone Jeter received the award without a hint of irony. Giving back!? The guy avoided paying NYC taxes for like 8 years and had to pay restitution! Come on.
-- Posted from my iPodPhone
The lady at Long Beach Airport just confiscated my toothpaste. Apparently, the 4.6oz container was outside the scope of sizes allowed. When questioned about it, she told me that I wasn't allowed more than 3oz. When I pointed out that there was clearly less than an ounce left in the container, she said it didn't matter. So, by that logic, I can bring a full to the brim 3oz container of toothpaste, but I can't bring a nearly empty 3.1oz container. What exactly are we trying to prevent with this policy? Also, how is it that this very same toothpaste container survived 6 straight security checks at the airport, with way more toothpaste in the container? Where is the equal protection under the law? Why is Crest selling a travel container of toothpaste that violates the letter (but not necessarily the spirit) of the law? Why do we continue with the "no liquids" charade at the airport when they turn around and dump all of these "potentially" dangerous liquids into one big vat of a garbage bin?
Normally, I don't blame TSA for this, because they are just doing their jobs and a ton of travelers are insanely obnoxious. But this time...TSA GFY.
-- Posted from my iPodPhone
I had my first sub-100 round of golf this summer this past weekend. It's been a pretty up and down season since finishing last summer consistently shooting in the high 90's. I was down in FL for a friend's wedding and chose to take my own clubs with me, rather than rent. This was my first opportunity to use the travel bag jobus got me and it worked great. I'm not sure why I thought checking my clubs would inevitably lead to their breaking, but they came through totally unscathed. I wonder if "throwers" are more careful with golf bags (and surf bags) than traditional luggage. It's 100% obvious that there are delicate/expensive items inside vs. normal bags which can be full of easily throwablr clothing, toiletries and other delicates.
Either way, I think I'm going to always bring my clubs when travel golf is on the horizon. The $15 bag check fee that the airlines charge is offset by the savings on rental clubs.
-- Posted from my iPodPhone
The timing of my picture was a little delayed, so you can't see it explicitly, BUT this photo captures maybe the most absurd thing I've ever seen in an airport:
While out and about in Chicago this past weekend, I came across this toilet at a house party:
I thought I might get back to posting some tunes around here when trying to procrastinate from doing work, and 120am on a Sunday seems like a great time to do such a thing. And considering how often I put off doing my work (and the sheer unbridled joy that I get from doing so), maybe I can start being a productive blog contributor once again. Yes, they're called aspirations, people.
So what is a song assassin? Well, it's someone - like myself - who will hear a new song that he (or she) REALLY really likes and then proceed to listen to that song about 283 times over the following few weeks. Surely you've done this before: you find a great new song and then that tune gets stuck in your head, and rather than being content with your own glorious, internal rendition, you HAVE to hear it again. And again. And 23 more times for that one chord progression that - and I'm pretty sure about this - no band has ever figured out before ever. (Only problem being that, like, all of them have).
In the vast majority of cases, this leads to becoming quite sick of the song or worse, actively hating it. I've been doing this to songs I like since I was a fetus, and it's both annoying and reassuring, at least in the sense that I can continue to bang my head against a wall and expect a different outcome each time. I'm not certain why that's a reassuring thing, but it is. Bear with me.
Which brings me to today's 2 songs, which I'm doing my darndest to assassinate the hell out of right now. Again, I don't WANT to find myself sick of these songs in a week or two, but it's going to happen to at least one of them, probably both. Take my word for it. So while I'm at it, won't you join me in liking these songs so much that you assassinate them to? You know you want to.
Song #1 comes from a band called Drummer, which is the side project of The Black Keys' drummer, Patrick Carney, and four other drummers from Ohio-based bands. Carney actually plays bass in the band, and I'm not sure who does the singing, but judging by this song, I'm pretty sure he likes early Aerosmith A LOT. Their debut album is called "Feel Good Together" and from what I have heard of it, it's very good.
Drummer - Mature Fantasy
Song numero dos comes from my current album obsession, "Up From Below," by Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros. They're a little esoteric, but that's why I like them: so I can say that I like them and it shows that I'm cooler than those of you who "don't get it" like I do. Yeah, that's it. (Perhaps not coincidentally, this is also why I use the word "esoteric"). Either way, get the album (then listen to it). It's muy bueno. Special thanks to Jake for this recommendation.
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros - 40 Day Dream
Assassinate away!
This damage was done by only two people (one of them ordered nachos, a lobster roll and chicken fingers right when he sat down).
I really like these seats. Elevated right behind home plate. Ready to see Buchholz throw some gas.
Tony Allen is still the dumbest/worst player in the NBA.
-- Posted from my iPodPhone
Last night at the Orpheum a slightly different taste of Grizzly Bear than the ACL performance:
Grizzly Bear:
In the last three weeks, we've had, in my opinion, two of the best calls in the last 20 years (or at least as far back as I can remember). First, there was the Gus Johnson Nervous breakdown for the Denver/Cincy game:
As it stands now, this is the weather forecast for ACL in Austin, TX this weekend: 
All I can say is, "Really?" Austin, Texas is an oasis. The weather in October should be perfect (low 80's and sunny). ACL takes place in a (every year except 2008) lush, wide-open park with multiple stages and a lot of walking-and-standing. It should be a ridiculous time. Rain? Unacceptable*.
*Rain is more acceptable than the 2008 "Dust Storm."
Good? Good, glad to hear it. Listen, I'm just calling to apologize for those GFY's I threw your way about traffic, construction, etc. It wasn't your fault. You were just trying to make things better and now your roads are all smooth and your lanes are all wide and Kramer-luxury-lane-like. Tonight it took me 8 minutes to get from the South End to Revere, two months ago it took an hour! Awesomeness. Please extend an apology to your parents for me as well.
See you next Tuesday.
Later.
grill
Look, I think this is reasonably funny:
If ever there was a website that my mother would love (and by love, I mean love even more than how much she loves forwarding me "WaRNinG: MUST REad" emails (yes, uneven caps are an accurate representation)):
I'm back from vacation! Amazingly, the weather in NYC is nicer than what we had for ~1/3rd of the time in Greece.
Unrelated to my vacation, I thought this post was pretty obvious from Matt Yglesias, but as he points out (obviously), it's not too obvious to the news media (or Charlie Cook). Just because Obama is less popular than he was, doesn't mean the Dems are likely to get crushed in 2010. Republicans are much less popular. Maybe not everyone finds them as unserious as I do, but (especially with the current Senate seats contested in a year) I think a Republican return to power seems much less likely than the news media makes it seem.
Crappy Chicken Sanwiches and airport employees who don't speak a lick of English...this layover is bringing back memories from fall '07's EPIA solar conference. Bad news all around.
Not the worst place to be stuck for an extra day.
Possibly the most anal packing job of my life (do not insert horribly inappropriate joke here (do not use "insert" for a second inappropriate joke)).
Apple has done a great job reducing packaging. Who needs an enormous box for one small disc? It's like my old BMG subcription was just renewed. I wonder if Use Your Illusion III is inside.
Oh, you mean I can't wear my steel-toed shoes and ginormous belt buckle through the metal detector? I will wait until the very last minute to figure that out.
Today I put a tee shot through a nice lady's minivan window. Yes, I hit a 7 iron about 175yds, which seems crazy to me. But I also didn't land it on the green. Or the fairway. Or the rough. Or the road. I landed it in her back seat. I don't feel so bad, she was parked right next to the green (I missed by about 15 yards to the right if an elevated green, next to the clubhouse) and obviously I will cover whatever her insurance does not. Also, holes 12-16 and 18 were sub-100 pace. Still, a broken car window, I think, is the sign of someone who needs more practice. A lot more practice.
-- Posted From My iPodPhone
I think this might be my favorite one yet. In honor of the "Mad Men" Season 3 premiere:
To quote Deaner, "I've never seen more gangley dudes without girls in one place in my life. Remind me not to come here on a Saturday night."
I understand the view of some of the neocons here, but I think they really miss the point of what's happening when they go on The Daily Show. Jon Stewart generally does treat his guests with respect (even the real buffoons), but this comes after he typically murders them during the opening segment (though not usually on the same episode...unless you are Jim Cramer).
However, a quick scan of the tags (or so conveniently organized on the Comedy Central Daily Show site) gives you an idea what Stewart says about these guys when they aren't sitting across from them:
Been a little longer than I would have liked since I posted some music, so let's get back to business, shall we?
In the process of looking for some kind of theme to link any songs that I like together, I realized that I have recently been listening to 2 solo albums released by the lead singers of 2 bands that I happen to really like. Up first, Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys.
The Black Keys are a nasty, old school, crunchy sounding blues-rock band from Dayton, OH. Just 2 guys, and they make a lot of beautiful, beautiful noise. Dan Aurbach does much of the singing and song-writing, and it's clear on his solo album, "Keep It Hid" why that is the case. Auerbach's solo work reveals a more thoughtful and slightly softer side of the musician, but it's no less stellar. For some reason, this solo release did not get a ton of press - despite a decent critical response - which was surprising given The Black Keys recent rise, due largely to their collaboration with Producer/DJ/wunderkind Danger Mouse on their most recent album "Attack & Release." This is the opening track on "Keep It Hid" complete with the slight country-influenced sound that seems to color 75% of the music I listen to.
Dan Auerbach - Trouble Weighs A Ton
Next is Patterson Hood, lead singer of The Drive-By Truckers. They've been around for quite some time, and are right in my musical sweet spot - classic- and country/southern-influenced rock, but I have to admit to only recently getting into them. Patterson Hood has ventured out for 2 solo albums, and this track comes from his second, "Murdering Oscar (and Other Love Songs)," which is quite good. Definitely worth checking out. Some crunchy (there's that word again) guitars and a solid twang to his voice, along with a pretty unapologetic and non-revisionist look at Southern life and history in his lyrics. There's definitely a bit of Camper Van Beethoven sound to Patterson - and to the Drive-By Truckers - which is never a bad thing.
Patterson Hood - Heavy And Hanging
I saw Funny People yesterday and quite liked it. It's been getting some fairly bad reviews for being too serious and not "Apatow" enough and containing some fairly blah acting performances. But I think it's been unfairly criticized. This, apparently, puts me in the same camp as Grill's favorite lazy idiot, Ross Douthat. (His commentary can be found here). I'll save my general feelings about the movie until the bottom, but first, a little bit of a response to what he had to say...
First:
"No recent movie has made the case for abortion look as self-evidently awful as "Knocked Up," Apatow's 2007 keep-the-baby farce."
REALLY?
I find it hard to take anything he says seriously after a comment like that. A "keep-the-baby farce?" While I think it was pretty ridiculous that that movie mentioned abortion once (because clearly anyone in that situation - ESPECIALLY a reporter in Hollywood - would at least broach the subject), I have a hard time believing that was an intended purpose/message of the movie (i.e., "keep the baby"). In fact, I would go so far as to say that Apatow likely left out that discussion specifically to appeal to a large portion of this country who would have written it off on principle if that discussion had gotten to direct, serious or graphic. To take the fact that they did keep the baby, which - as you know - like DROVE THE PLOT OF THE ENTIRE MOVIE and suggest it was a sign of social conservativism is (to take grill's line/complaint) both quite lazy and reeks of backwards rationalization/reasoning.
More goodies (baddies?):
"Tolerate a much more abortion regime" (emphasis mine). Posted without comment, but with nausea. (Which I guess means I posted with comment. So sue me).
"We wring our hands over stem cell research." We do? Who are the "we" here, exactly? Know your audience, at least a little, even if you are the conservative op-ed voice at the Times.
Douthat uses this all as support of his argument that, "we’re conservative right up until the moment that it costs us," and again, I think I will ask: who are the "we?" America? Because I'm not in that camp, and - judging by our most recent election - I'm certainly not alone. In fact, I would argue that people are liberal up until the moment that it costs us. Last time I checked, it's generally more expensive to be a liberal, what with our paying for more services, higher taxes and everything else that we get accused - somewhat rightly - for doing.
< /Douthat criticism>
Onto the movie itself:
As I said, I really liked it, although I'm still feeling pretty deflated about it, which is how I was feeling when leaving the theater. It paints a pretty gray picture of everything, which I think is probably a more accurate depiction of many aspects of life and relationships than what usually gets shown to us in movies, but that doesn't generally leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside. I think the fact that the movie descended into something of a Greek Tragedy in the second half was actually kind of refreshing. Yes, it was a little schizophrenic, but I think that life and relationships (especially marriages) are all over the place and clearly full of conflicting feelings and situations, and the movie did a good job of giving that feeling. Coupled with the fact that the first half was legitimately hilarious, and I genuinely liked the movie.
On the other hand...
I thought that Seth Rogen kind of sucked (he's just not a good serious actor...his idea of acting appears to be making lots of different uncomfortable faces to convey various emotions), and I also thought that Jason Schwartzman, who I generally like, was pretty thin. BUT, Adam Sandler was fantastic, and while I think many people will probably think that Eric Bana's character was supposed to be fluffy and despicable, I actually thought he was pretty good and redeeming [ducks lightening bolt].
My biggest gripe about the whole movie was the big fight between Leslie Mann & Eric Bana. That she slipped into that Aussie accent annoyed me so much. What the hell was the purpose of that? Was that her suddenly standing up to him, when she never would before? Was she trying to throw something back in his face? It just struck me as totally out of place and unnecessary. She was finally, although somewhat misguidedly, revealing her true feelings and yet it came across as trying to get a cheap laugh.
And speaking of Leslie Mann: I found it pretty clear that Apatow is madly in love with his wife...the way that he shoots her is pretty intense. Lots of closeups and very flattering lighting. While she did a serviceable job, I don't know that I needed all of that. Then again, it's not about me.< /disjointed criticism>
So occasionally he goes a bit overboard and gets too extreme in his viewpoints for my liking, but more often than not, I find my opinions aligning fairly closely with Bill Maher's. This op-ed piece on the Huffington Post does a pretty nice job with things. And note, this is not completely partisan, he calls out members from both sides of the aisle for their ignorance/stupidity.
She & Him, Zooey Deschanel's band (with the fantastic M. Ward) and vehicle for further entrancing indie guys, has lent a song to a (500) Days of Summer-related music video. It's my favorite song of theirs, "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?" and the plot line of the video kinda sorta maybe a little matches the trajectory of the relationship in the movie. Either way, good stuff. And, as SMcG points out, Joseph Gordon-Leavitt is becoming the straight Neil Patrick Harris...Enjoy.
I think my favorite thing is all the protestors who complain about government run healthcare who are already on Medicare. Lack of self-awareness is a highly common American trait.
This list of discount tickets is straight out of 1994:
Queensryche? Collective Soul? Better Than Ezra? KMFDM? Best "Least Appealing Discount Ticket List" ever.
I was in Boston over the weekend, and it was a quintessential New England summer day on Saturday: mid-80s, clear sky, slight breeze, (what felt like) several hundred thousand people walking Newbury St. It was perfect. I certainly don't feel much like Boston is home anymore (it hasn't really been for over 3 years, and that stint was only 8 months), but - much like Chicago - it's tough to beat a perfect summer day there. Obviously Los Angeles has infinitely better weather year round, but that makes it tough to really, fully appreciate those individual days that scatter themselves - more and more rarely, these days - throughout the summer in typically cold weather cities. I ran along the river in the morning and walked Back Bay during the afternoon trying to soak it all in.
There are few times better suited for happy music than such days, and everyone has stockpiles of songs that they associate with these moments of weather-related perfection. While I have hundreds, I have been listening to the following quite a bit recently. It's not going to win any awards for originality, but it's flat out nasty and guaranteed to put you in a good mood. Plus, it's getting me even more excited to see Phish here in Chicago next week (they cover it with some regularity).
The Rolling Stones - Loving Cup
And then a strange thing happened. On my flight back to Chicago, I had this odd nostalgia for fall. Somewhat amazingly, Chicago has a comparable autumn to New England (minus the intense foliage), about which I will absolutely take more time to write when the weather calls for it. I can't believe I could be looking forward to fall, considering it's been the coldest summer here in decades, but you can't help it sometime, right? Right.
The band Fruit Bats remind me of fall. Their music is folky, with earthy themes and mellow tunes. My favorite tune of theirs, "When U Love Somebody," has been featured in the theatrical trailer for the movie Adam coming out soon, so I'll offer something different here today, off their album Mouthfuls. Their new album, The Ruminant Band, just came out on Sub Pop. I'll check it out and post a review.
Fruit Bats - Union Blanket
Flying you across the country in 1983's most advanced "jetliners."
One of my favorite tracks from early 2009's excellent Dark Was the Night 2-disc compilation, "Tightrope," is Yeasayer doing what they do best. Heavy Middle Eastern/African percussion and choppy yet harmonized vocals contribute to an Indie gem. I have no idea what the lyrics are getting at, or how they relate to the song title, but as long as those lyrics aren't flagrantly bad or banal (and they're not here), I'm cool with that.
Yeasayer - Tightrope
You'll see that I'm not generally going to be on the "cutting edge" of music releases. There are hundreds of blogs looking to make their name as the cool place to go for brand new music no one has heard yet. ("Hey, look! I got the latest (insert name of band you've never heard of) because I blog about music and the indies send me early releases! This band is going to be huge, but never forget that I heard of them first, which shouldn't be a problem because you have no idea who they are! But they sound like (other band you may have once read about and nearly forgotten) and are from (current indie hot spot), so check it! And they're playing at (tiny, but admittedly awesome music venue nearby) next week!" And then, 90% of the time, the song/band sucks. Ok, rant over).
I just don't have the time, interest, or - frankly - access to compete. Instead, I want to try to use this forum to post bands that have generally been around for a bit and have a following, but may have flown under the average music aficionados' radar. There's so much music that gets put out and overlooked or underappreciated, but has actually stood something of a test of time, so I'd rather write about that (while still reserving the right to eventually turn into the indie-hyping d-bag I referenced above...you've been warned). So I'll be posting songs from bands old and new, hoping that you find something you may have missed, get reintroduced to something that may have fallen by the wayside or just realize that I have fantastic taste in music. There, I said it.
Today I present 2 of my favorite British bands who have generated a good deal of critical acclaim and a decent following in the US, but have not broken through to be mega-popular over here.
The first is Doves, who I have a particular affinity for because their first album, "Lost Souls" was the soundtrack to my summer in 2002. I was OBSESSED with it: literally every tune on that album was incredible. They've flirted with major mainstream success, with songs appearing in commercials for the NFL Network and a few tunes on soundtracks (Blue Crush and 500 Days of Summer, among others), but still aren't as popular as I think they should be. They consistently put out melodic, catchy, guitar-driven Brit pop/rock that oozes with atmosphere and occasionally reveals their prior existence as a house/techno band. That's not to say that most of their current music is heavily influenced by that sound, but their production most certainly is. They have 4 albums, all of which come highly recommended, and for today, I give you the song from The Last Broadcast that appeared in 500 Days of Summer. It's catchy as shit.
Doves - There Goes the Fear
The next band is Elbow. They consistently receive great reviews with their personal lyrics, gorgeous arrangements and lead singer Guy Garvey's raspy voice. Seriously, check that thing out; it's awesome. Yet somehow, they have maintained an even lower profile in the US than Doves, despite all of the critical acclaim. I think this might be due to their albums' tendency to be a little darker and more emotional/introspective, but always containing a few upbeat & rhythm-driven songs. It makes for albums that don't quite fit one mood or another, making them a little more difficult to get through in one sitting despite the great songwriting. But that doesn't stop them from being a fantastic band, and actually one of the better live acts I've seen. That's truly amazing given the hushed and mellow nature of much of their work.
In keeping with the Doves catchiness, I give you a track off Elbow's third album, Leaders of the Free World. It's about the lead singer meeting his then girlfriend's ex-boyfriend. The lyrics are pretty awesome and it's got one of the best hand-clap intros you'll ever hear.
Elbow - Mexican Standoff
Because this song - and the band - are awesome. Check the lyrics and vocals.
Dawes - When My Time Comes (from Daytrotter)
Saw these guys open for Dr. Dog at The Wiltern in Los Angeles about a year ago...one of the more impressive shows I saw last year, especially from a band from whom I had previously only heard one song. For some reason, I find it challenging to really get into a show if I have no prior knowledge of their music. But these guys, largely from San Diego, absolutely won me over. The lead singer, Matt Vasquez looks like he's trying to be James Dean on stage, but his guitar chops and vocals force you to take him seriously despite the throw-back look.
Somewhere between roots rock, country rock and indie rock lay Delta Spirit. This was the first track of theirs that I heard, and it led to my purchasing their fantastic album, "Ode to Sunshine." I recommend you do the same...
Delta Spirit - Trashcan
Good work Yankee Stadium.
Well, birth might be a strong term, but I'm officially "naming" a genre of films that, to this point, has seemingly been un-categorized. A movie genre bris/baptism, if you will.
My girlfriend and I went to see "(500) Days of Summer" last weekend.
He's conflicted and confused by his love for these things and his desire to write about them honestly. He's voice of sanity is an insane music writer (my favorite Philip Seymour Hoffman performance). He goes on the road, exploring all of these relationships, with his story (and his actual experiences) narrated by a rich mix of music of the era: Elton John, The Beach Boys, The Who, Simon and Garfunkel, Led Zeppelin and Rod Stewart. The music mixes well together in the film and the film doesn't work without the mix of music. Every male who sees the movie can empathize with William's heartache, earnestness and desire to score Goldie Hawn's daughter. Credit to Frances McDormand for playing every Jewish mother ever without actually playing a Jewish lady.
never feeling quite satisfied that everyone in a relationship is just as perfect as it could/should/might be, never feeling like you have any control of the relationship and, most common, overthinking all of the possible things that your girlfriend/wife/significant other might be thinking/doing/enjoying after you have a fight? I think Cusack (who originally optioned the book rights) and Director Stephen Frears did a really job staying true to the "RoMENce" aspect of the book while translating it for American audiences. They left certain music the same and made some appropriate changes to help make it more relatable to American audiences. The story is told entirely from the point of view of Rob Gordon (Cusack), a record store owner who is just trying not to get in the way of his own happiness. He's honest about things that are his fault, both before and after the fact (we often know when we are being idiots...well, sometimes). Watching this, I cringe at the awkward scenes/interactions, not just because they are awkward, but because I can specifically remember doing similarly awkward things. Special props to Tim Robbins for his role as "Ray" the upstairs neighbor and potential love interest for Rob's ex/current/on-again/off-again girlfriend.I've had a number of conversations in the past year about my new home - the city of Chicago - and the Midwest in general. Having already lived in Boston & Los Angeles, and spent a good deal of time abroad, I feel like I have experienced more cities than the average person and therefore feel qualified to discuss city living.
When I arrived in Chicago last August, I loved it. It's big and clean; you can find great houses and apartments at reasonable cost; it's relatively inexpensive & very "live-able;" people are friendly and generally peaceful (unlike, say, many Bostonians); there is unbelievable live music and great food; and it's full of solid bars with people drink like there's no tomorrow (this, I would contend, is a good thing when combined with the general peacefulness). Aside from the absolutely mind/body/soul-crushing weather for like 8 months of the year, it has everything you could ever want in a city. It's even easier to get to most places around the country from here than any other major city. A lot to like.
But Chicago lacks a certain "something" that neither I nor the few people with whom I had spoken about this could put our fingers on. Was it a Midwestern lack of "worldliness?" Maybe. The missing intellectualism of a Berkeley or Cambridge? Possibly, but it's hard to argue that with the University of Chicago and Northwestern around. Is it a sarcastic edge that adds character (to put it charitably) to people from the Northeast? Likely, but that can't be the whole story.
In my many searches through the vast expanse of crap - and I mean the good & the bad - on the internet, I came across the website of Paul Graham, a Computer Science professor, essayist and artist who is one of the partners at Y Combinator. His essay called "Cities & Ambition" suggests that cities "say" something about themselves and their inhabitants. A highly recommended read...as are a number of his essays.
For instance, he says that Cambridge says "you should be smarter." NYC says "you should be more successful/wealthy." The Bay Area says "you should live better." Silicon Valley says "you should be more powerful."
Whether or not you agree with exactly what Graham suggests for each city, he's on to something interesting here. I have been trying the past few days to think about what Chicago says. I have no definitive answers, but I think something along the lines of "you should live contentedly" might get at it. There's a simplicity implied in being content that is very much present here. That's not meant as any kind of slight: as anyone who knows me knows, I'm all about maximizing my personal happiness. But that covers the music, food, heavy drinking and friendliness with just a touch of "high culture" that really define the city.
So I'm curious, fair reader, as to what you think Chicago - or any other city - has to say.
And just for suffering though my lengthy diatribe, I'll throw you a semi-related bone: music from a favorite Chicago musician. Devin Davis's album "Lonely People of the World, Unite!" came out about 4 years ago and remains in steady rotation on my iPod. It's all completely self-produced and recorded (minus one or two instruments on a few songs) and it is, frankly, a masterpiece of simple, heartfelt, straightforward pop/rock. His influences are quite apparent throughout the album (name checking off the major classic rock bands & artists is easy to do as you listen), and I will likely go into much greater detail on him and the album at some other point, but for now, enjoy a sampling...
Devin Davis - Turtle & the Flightless Bird
Could Reid’s timing be any worse? Even if he knows he can’t get a vote until after the August recess, did he have to step on Obama’s toes by announcing this in the immediate aftermath of last night’s press conference when BHO took such a forceful position on the timing issue? Geez, wait until the Friday afternoon news dump and don’t embarrass your own President.
Since I'm going to be either referencing or virtually fellating The Band throughout many of my posts, I figured it would probably be a good idea to introduce you to some of their music. I'll try not to get overly obsessive about them in particular (but they're just SO damn good), and I will never post "The Weight" - other than to maybe discuss its relevance as one of the greatest songs ever written and performed - and wherever possible I'll post some other bands covering their stuff. Just to mix it up. No one likes a one-trick blogger/fanboy.
Killing two birds with one stone, I'm posting My Morning Jacket - my favorite band of the past 6-7 years - covering one of my favorite Band songs, "It Makes No Difference," with Eddie Vedder on guest vocals.
MMJ & Eddie Vedder - It Makes No Difference (live)
The song is completely soul-crushing, but absolutely beautiful, and a fantastic companion for post-breakup self-loathing (err, so I'm told). This recording, which hopefully comes across alright via the interwebs, also demonstrates one of the reasons why MMJ is so awesome: not only is its original music epic and its live show incredible, but they also cover a bunch of songs from some of my favorite bands (a live version of Jim James and company covering The Rolling Stones' "Loving Cup" will absolutely make an appearance sometime soon). For those interested, this song and a whole boatload of The Band covers can be found on the CD, "Endless Highway: The Music of The Band."
